Southeast hopes steel geese benefit health care and Cape

Southeast Missouri Hospital hopes its geese exhibit that opens this summer will not only beautify Cape Girardeau but reap benefits for health care in the region for years to come.

Situated on three acres of the main campus' hillside, Nature's Landing will feature 73 geese when the 1,000-foot-long exhibit is completed by mid- or late August. The life-sized sculptures will feature six-foot wing spans.

"I look at this project and it makes me feel great," said James Wente, president and chief executive officer of Southeast. "Not that the hospital isn't a landmark in and of itself, but this project will be a landmark as well."

Made of steel, the sculptures will show the birds in different stages of flight. During the evenings, low-voltage lighting throughout the exhibit will create a soft moonlight effect.

While most of the geese will be on the hospital grounds, eight of the sculptures will be in nearby Capaha Park, three on land and five on water.

Other elements of Nature's Landing will include 32 cherry trees, native grasses and perennial flowers that will provide an overlook for patients, visitors and employees. This 400-square-foot overlook plaza placed among the geese will also have a brick garden and benches that donors can use to honor or memorialize a family member or friend.

Funds for Nature's Landing, whose construction began last year, are taken from the hospital's landscaping budget. Wente said hospital policy prohibits the release of the project's total amount.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com More than 40 geese make up Nature's Landing at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Some still have caution tape to warn of extended wings in the construction area.

The project will benefit the Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences by offering donation opportunities. Wente said this will ensure the college has adequate health-care workers and state-of-the-art technology in the future.

Donor opportunities include one of 200 bricks at the $100 and $250 price level, $1,000 for each available goose, cherry trees for $500 each and $3,000 for one of two benches with a personalized plaque.

Mary Burton-Hitt, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, said that because the college is a private, not-for-profit institution, it does not receive any state or federal funding to support its programs. As a result, the college must look to the hospital to subsidize the cost of education that student tuition does not cover. Last year, that amount was $550,000.

Fundraisers such as Nature's Landing will help keep tuition affordable, she said.

Wente also hopes the exhibit will serve as a meditation point for visitors.

"The project ties in with a healthier look at health care because it will be accessible to patients, families and staff, providing a quiet place for people to reflect and de-stress," Wente said. "We all know that enjoying nature is a way to relieve stress."

Mayor Jay Knudtson said the gesture is an extension of the commitment that businesses and corporations have for the beautification of the city.

"This project further enhances the look of our city," he said, adding, "There is no doubt that the longtime resident or casual visitor will notice and take away from the sculptures that these people went to great lengths to beautify their city."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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